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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Group of singers in a chorus.






2. A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a measure.






3. A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations.






4. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






5. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1700's to mid 1800's. The music was spare and emotionally reserved - especially when compared to Romantic and Boroque music.






6. Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor.






7. One of two or more parts in polyphonic music. Voice refers to instrumental parts as well as the singing voice.






8. A piece of music written for two vocalists or instrumentalists.






9. The seventh note of the scale where there is a strong desire to resolve on the tonic.






10. A composition written for eight instruments.






11. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.






12. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully.






13. A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works.






14. The voice between soprano and alto. Also - in sheet music - a direction for the tempo to be played at medium speed.






15. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






16. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






17. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






18. To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer.






19. A musical style characterized as excessive - ornamental - and trivial.






20. A short piano piece - often improvisational and intimate in character.






21. An extended solo - often accompanying the vocal part of an aria.






22. Made up of five horizontal parallel lines and the spaces between them on which musical notation is written.






23. A sequence of songs - perhaps on a single theme - or with texts by one poet - or having continuos narrative.






24. A separate section of a larger composition.






25. A scale consisting of only whole-tone notes. Such a scale consists of only 6 notes.






26. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






27. Convenient method of numbering a composer's works where a number follows the word 'opus'.For example - Opus 28 - No. 4.






28. The piece of cane in wind instruments. The players cause vibrations by blowing through it in order to produce sound.






29. Music written for a lively French dance for two performers written in triple time.






30. A mild glissando between two notes for an expressive effect.






31. An extended solo - often accompanying the vocal part of an aria.






32. Combination of two or more keys being played at the same time.






33. The unit of measure where the beats on the lines of the staff are divided up into two - three - four beats to a measure.






34. Suite of Baroque dances.






35. A composition written for nine instruments.






36. A repeated phrase.






37. Combining a number of individual but harmonizing melodies. Also known as counterpoint.






38. Repetition of a single tone.






39. A lighthearted piece - written in several movements - usually as background music for a social function.






40. A book of text containing the words of an opera.






41. The first tone of a scale also known as a keynote.






42. Sliding between two notes.






43. A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






44. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






45. Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.






46. The first section of a movement written in sonata form - introducing the melodies and themes.






47. Repetition of a single tone.






48. Harsh - discordant - and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.






49. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






50. Two notes that differ in name only. The notes occupy the same position.For example: C sharp and D flat.